Page 4 - Spring Catalog Final

and grandkids with seed pota- elevated raised bed by my kitchen. from seedlings I have
toes available now for French
fries later! Think of all the
different ways to plant vegeta-
bles that make it fun and easy
for the family, from potato bag
planters to raised beds for the
deck and patio.
How about an herb planting
next to the grill? As we think
about the tomato season,
SPRING include varieties that produce
both early and late. Tomatoes
produce fruit at maturity and
VEGGIE maturity depends on the
variety, so you don’t have to
wait too long for that
delicious slice. Early Girl and
GARDEN Jet Star are a couple of good
examples. Also don’t forget
the sweet cherry varieties that
little hands can pick, they are
A Few Faves
delightfully sweet and
irresistible! Look for resistant
Spring is a wondrous time for us all but especially varieties both listed on the
for gardeners, who have been anxiously awaiting seed packet and plant tag to
green shoots and tender new foliage in their gardens. resist fungus and tomato wilts.
It’s a busy time of year with a long list of chores. If you are planting tomato
seedlings you have started
A good start is a check of our garden tools—our indoors—don’t forget to harden
partners in the garden. Our cutting tools should them off (slowly adjusting them
have a clean sharp edge. A good clean cut on hard to outside temperatures for a
wood when pruning and shaping helps our plants few days before planting in
stay healthy against pests and disease. TOMATOES the ground) and when
planting, plant them up
to their true leaves.
Spring is the time to go seed shopping. Spend some
time in the seed section, try something new—the
varieties of your favorites are always improving for Tomatoes root along their
better gardening. stems so don’t worry about
planting them too deep. As
soon as your tomatoes are
While we amend our vegetable garden beds with
composted soil our seedlings of cool weather crops planted put in the supports
such as broccoli and cauliflower will be the first ones around them and water evenly
in. Peas should be in now, an easy large seed to LETTUCES throughout the season to
plant with kids. A good choice are the types prevent blossom-end-rot.
that have edible pods; they are less work Espoma Tomato-Tone
and crunchy right off the vine. It’s also a fertilizer is a good choice for
good time to get your onions and leek your tomato garden.
“starts” in, find a location where they
won’t be shaded by the later heat-loving Lettuce is a rewarding garden
vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. venture! The early bunches
A potato bag is fun to plant with the kids make it easy to grow in my
HERBS
Gardening standing up and keeping started in my greenhouse.
my greens from the rabbits is very To keep a lettuce planting
satisfying. All the different leaves and going is a gardening
colors make for a beautiful planting. challenge I enjoy—it’s all
about timing with
As I harvest the mature lettuce from successive plantings
my deck garden I replace with more throughout the growing
season.
Starting squash varieties is
a perennial gardening task.
Have you tried spaghetti
squash? Easy and fun with
kids, a delicious vegetable
that imitates spaghetti! My
zucchini recipes are family
favorites along with the end
of season butternut and
acorn squash dishes.
I am always inspired to try
new things when I see the
packets. Be patient and
lovely artwork on the seed
water every day.
As spring gardening begins
and I work in the soil, I
can already taste my
roasted beets, leek soup
and fresh carrots!
“ Everything you need for this
Think of all the season’s vegetable gardening
chores can be found at all
different ways to Agway of Cape Cod locations.
plant vegetables
that make it fun
and easy for the
family, from potato
bag planters to
raised beds for the
deck and patio.”
- Priscilla Husband
of Cape Cod